BECOMING A NATION AND A KINGDOM

 Excerpted from: The Unfaithful Bride & The Faithful Groom

One of the hardest things for any Christian is to come to the full realization that God has set us free from sin and Satan’s dominion. Christians have been set free from sin, Satan, and self. As Christians we have become new creations as part of God’s new creation. We are no longer slaves. We have been
translated out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness and into God’s kingdom of light. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). However, even though we have been set free, we find the concept of our freedom, yes, the concept of freedom itself, really hard to understand. Why is this? It is because we are so used to being slaves. It is like the prisoner who has served his time after decades in prison. He has been used to all the regularities of prison: when to rise, when to sleep, when to wash, when to eat etc. He has been institutionalized. Thus, freedom has become an alien concept to him.

After being set free from slavery, Israel spent forty years wandering around in the wilderness being reprogrammed by God regarding their new-found freedom. Many yearned to be back in captivity, remembering the food and so forth. Thus, like much of the seed in the Parable of the Sower, many fell by the wayside and perished. However, we see this mostly new group of people, offspring of those set free from captivity in Egypt, cross the Jordan into the Promised Land to become a nation and a kingdom, yes, a kingdom that will never end.

All the way through the Bible, even with Christians today, we see this “slave syndrome” manifest itself amongst God’s people in a variety of different ways. It is simply Satan, our old prison-keeper, our old jailor, reminding us of how good we used to have it while in captivity. We shouldn’t, but we still tremble when we hear his footsteps or his voice calling us or the keys jingle on his keychain. Though our old master may make us shudder, we must not fear him, for we have a new and kinder Master. Surely Luther knew what we speak of here:

Did we in our own strength confide,
 our striving would be losing,
 were not the right Man on our side,
 the Man of God’s own choosing.
 You ask who that may be?
 Christ Jesus, it is He;
 Lord Sabaoth His name,
 from age to age the same;
 and He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
 should threaten to undo us,
 we will not fear, for God has willed
 His  truth to triumph through us.
 The prince of darkness grim,
 we tremble not for him;
 his rage we can endure,
 for lo! his doom is sure;
 one little word shall fell him.[1]

As we walk around in Christ’s kingdom of light here on earth, reclaiming everything that the usurper Satan has stolen, we must not fear him. We must be aware of his wiles. For, “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14b). Israel in the Promised Land needed to learn this, and sadly, so still does Christ’s kingdom and Church on earth today.

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[1] Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress, English translation of ‘Ein’ Feste Burg’.

UNFAITHFUL BRIDE & FAITHFUL GROOM (Some endorsements)

The title of this lengthy, exegetical and theological tour of the Bible's landscape from Eden to final consummation, captures the heart of the Bible's central message, 'The Unfaithful Bride and the Faithful Groom: Covenant Making, Breaking and Renewal'. The authors deftly highlight the recurring tragedies of God's privileged, covenanted people, and his recurring grace in giving them new beginnings.

The Introduction is deliberately provocative (though no more so than eg. Ezekiel 16), as it seeks to prepare the reader for a roller coaster story of covenant privilege, covenant breaking, and gracious covenant renewal. You will not need to embrace the authors' post millennialism in order to benefit greatly from an overview of the Bible that is detailed, insightful and ultimately God glorifying. 

        Rev. Dr. Ian Hamilton. (President of Westminster Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Newcastle, England, Adjunct Professor at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, S.C., Trustee with the Banner of Truth Trust. Author: e.g., Words from the Cross, Our Heavenly Shepherd, Commentary on Ephesians)
 

Eschatology entails soteriology. That which Christ was destined to do (eschatology) involves his saving work in our behalf (soteriology). Thus, we are mistaken if we try to separate eschatology and soteriology for they are two sides of the same coin. In this work you will find a valuable assessment of what we might call “soteriological eschatology.” I commend this work to the reader and pray for its influence in a day which desperately needs it. This book well summarizes and explains the Christian hope for the fallen world. 

        Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. (Author: Before Jerusalem Fell and He Shall Have Dominion)
 

This is an exciting and very special book. Jesus said that the Bible is the Good Seed, the fundamental determining spiritual genetics for an entire race of human believers. That Great Seed goes into the hearts of individuals who in turn come to represent unique expressions of whole genome. Just so, Unfaithful Bride represents an astounding, unique, and worthy statement of the whole counsel of God’s Word—His intent and provision of mankind—in an inviting manner, accessible to anyone who would seek God on His terms. Neil McKinlay and Rudi Schwartz, as accomplished professors of the faith of Christ, demonstrate what sound theology should be—readable and engaging teaching to anyone seeking to know God and His Christ—beginner or learned. As all mature teachers do, the authors simplify learning the important Thoughts and Purposes of God, with great faithfulness to the beloved Bible. Read this book! Receive its gift! 

        Rev. Ronald W. Kirk. (Educator, Editor. Author: Thy Will Be Done)
 

This work is an insightful read that will deepen your understanding of the central message of the gospel – the glorious bond between Christ and his church. 

        Rev. Andrew George. (Pastor, Writer, Recording Artist USA/Australia)
 

Neil is a great communicator like my late friend Gordon Keddie. Always pitching their writing at an acceptable level without speaking down to the reader. Not that I’m against scholarly writing like Van Til or Dooyeweerd but I’d recommend Neil’s books to my pals first! 

        Alan Wilson. (Part-time tutor at Glasgow School of Art, Open Studio, Scotland)

This book, through its down to earth prose, leaves one in no doubt that we serve a Sovereign Lord, who rules over all things and situations with absolute control. It gives believers the encouragement to persevere, knowing that we have only one thing to do to receive that eternal prize, and that is “…to run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb. 12:1-2).
    Robert Chopping - (Retired Ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, Bible study leader)

This is a very comprehensive and thought provoking book. The overview of the Bible is extensive and challenging. The authors engage very interesting aspects with deep theological insights. They deeply strengthen faith in the Triune God by this book. It should be read by all interested in the Christian faith.
    Pieter Verster. (Emeritus Professor of Missiology, University of the Free State, South Africa)            

Purchase paperback or eBook: The Unfaithful Bride and the Faithful Groom: The Biblical Story of Covenant Making, Breaking and Renewal : McKinlay, Neil Cullan, Schwartz, D. Rudi: Amazon.com.au: Books

PROCRASTINATION & IMPULSE

                                                               Procrastination & Impulse

‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread’ was coined by Alexander Pope in 1711 in response to literary critics in his own day. In my own field, I seek to simplify and then popularise the complicated and the profound. For example, I read dry and dusty theological tomes but teach the same things contained therein using simple language. By doing so, I thus tempt the theological know-it-all to rush in to correct my plain language. But I am on the side of angels. For I simply seek to explain the gospel, yes, the ‘things which angels desire to look into’ (1 Pet. 1:12b). In this instance, procrastination is better than impulse.

Photo from Internet

Procrastination is to impulse as a weight is to a horse in a handicap race. The impulsive need to be stopped from racing ahead of the rest of us. However, procrastination can be debilitating. As we overthink all the pitfalls that may lie up ahead, we can get ourselves stuck in the starting gates. Whereas impulse bounds onwards, procrastination plans the course. As we weigh and measure life’s situations, we must get the balance right. ‘For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish”?’ (Luke 14:28-30).

We must count the cost before following Jesus. The Rich Young Ruler did. He thought he would need to give up too much to follow Jesus. Jesus says, ‘For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?’ (Mark 8:36). And then there is that other soul-procrastinator, the rich farmer in the parable, who had a plan.  ^‘And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?” So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”’ (Luke 12:17-20). Yes, when counting the cost of anything, we must not forget those hidden costs. And we must not put off till tomorrow what we can do today. ‘Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation’ (2 Cor. 6:2b).

There have been deathbed conversions, but why wait? Why procrastinate? Oh, you don’t want to be accused of acting on impulse? To procrastinate or not to procrastinate? That is the question. Once again, balance is the thing. The writing is on the wall! It’s as God said to Belshazzar, ‘You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting’ (Dan. 5:27). Therefore, why not join with the angels in looking into the gospel? Why remain an enemy of God? Why not submit to Christ Jesus? God is presently in the process of extending His Son’s kingdom on earth, one conversion at a time. If you belong to Jesus, plenty of angels will assist you in your salvation, a.k.a. escaping the wrath of God. ‘But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?’ (Heb. 1:13-14).

Yes, fools rush in where angels fear to tread. ‘The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God”’ (Ps. 14:1). What angel would want to go there?!